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I originally got the full-size TC Spark to boost my 5150III's blue channel. I always felt the blue channel was cool, just not gainy enough for what I want. So I didn't want to change the core tone of the blue channel, especially since it's already pretty tight in itself.
I was disappointed. With the gain on 0 and the level cranked, it barely reached unity gain. It wasn't really boosting... like... at all. So in order to actually get more gain, I had to raise the gain control on the pedal. At that point, it was just really working as a very clear and transparent overdrive. Not really what I wanted, TBH.
But it never occurred to me to use it in front of the red channel. I never thought the red channel needed a boost. In fact, all of my TS-style overdrive pedals just took away from it: They either made it too tight to the point of being thin or squashed any life out if it (or both).
I usually like my tones boosted, but I learned to live with the red channel since it was already pretty tight and squishy without any overdrive.
But today, I thought I'd try the Spark in front of the red channel. I mean, what harm can it do, right?
Damn! Gain on 0, level maxed, bass and treble at 12 o'clock, and it adds this sort of juicy squishy tightness that I didn't expect! It's more subtle than a Tube Screamer, and it doesn't completely neuter the bass, but it does tighten up the sound, and it adds just a hint of compression that is very pleasant, even on an over-the-top compressed EVH red channel.
So all in all, I definitely recommend 5150III users to try the Spark in front of the red channel for a subtle yet definite improvement, IMO.
I was disappointed. With the gain on 0 and the level cranked, it barely reached unity gain. It wasn't really boosting... like... at all. So in order to actually get more gain, I had to raise the gain control on the pedal. At that point, it was just really working as a very clear and transparent overdrive. Not really what I wanted, TBH.
But it never occurred to me to use it in front of the red channel. I never thought the red channel needed a boost. In fact, all of my TS-style overdrive pedals just took away from it: They either made it too tight to the point of being thin or squashed any life out if it (or both).
I usually like my tones boosted, but I learned to live with the red channel since it was already pretty tight and squishy without any overdrive.
But today, I thought I'd try the Spark in front of the red channel. I mean, what harm can it do, right?
Damn! Gain on 0, level maxed, bass and treble at 12 o'clock, and it adds this sort of juicy squishy tightness that I didn't expect! It's more subtle than a Tube Screamer, and it doesn't completely neuter the bass, but it does tighten up the sound, and it adds just a hint of compression that is very pleasant, even on an over-the-top compressed EVH red channel.
So all in all, I definitely recommend 5150III users to try the Spark in front of the red channel for a subtle yet definite improvement, IMO.
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